The wives of the concubines are empresses

Shangguan Wanjun looked at the elderly teacher and asked, "Teacher, do you think this refugee incident will have a significant impact on the imperial court?"

Whenever there are natural disasters or man-made disasters, the court has to spend both money and manpower. No matter how big or small, there will be some losses, and this time the losses are even greater.

Not only has the national treasury lost a lot of silver, but also a lot of food. If there is another natural disaster or man-made disaster, it may be completely wiped out.

Grand Tutor Yun pondered and replied, "Your Majesty, this incident has had a significant impact on the court. Financially, it's unclear when recovery will begin. Although the autumn harvest is in a few months, the refugee areas are tax-free this year. I'm afraid only two-thirds of the tax revenue will be collected this autumn."

Not to mention that the granaries are running low on food, the palace might have to start cutting back on its spending."

Shangguan Wanjun agreed with everything he said.

"The culprits who caused this refugee incident must be punished." She was so angry that she even wanted to slam the table, but considering that her teacher was there and was quite old, she restrained herself.

"Your Majesty, this incident is difficult to handle."

Shangguan Wanjun looked at Grand Tutor Yun and asked, "Teacher, are you saying that I can't deal with them yet?"

Grand Tutor Yun sighed, "This matter is very complex and complicated. We can't act rashly. We're afraid that one move will affect the entire situation."

Shangguan Wanjun also agreed with what he said.

"I feel very aggrieved every time I think of this matter." It was outrageous that she, a dignified emperor, was restrained by some petty officials.

However, the backers behind the magistrate are quite disgusting.

Taifu Yun left the palace with a heavy heart. He really felt a little powerless about the current situation in the court.

The current court seems to have returned to the situation a year ago, or even worse. After all, after suffering a heavy blow, the economy cannot be revived for a while.

Lying on the bed in the side hall, Shangguan Wanjun only slept for quarter of an hour.

"Someone, summon Concubine Wen for me." She had to defeat them one by one, which was better than making a mess everywhere.

Concubine Wen - Bai Xuanyi received the summons and went directly to the imperial study. Shangguan Wanjun was very satisfied with his speed.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. May your Majesty be well and at peace."

Today, she is wearing a purple and pink dress with dragon and phoenix patterns, looking gentle, dignified, noble and majestic.

"My beloved concubine, please don't be polite. Come and sit down." Concubine Wen - Bai Xuanyi glanced at Shangguan Wanjun, walked over and sat down beside him. The fragrance on her body was refreshing, which made him unconsciously recall the beauty of that night. He just didn't know when he would be able to sleep with her again. After all, there were more than a dozen imperial concubines in the emperor's harem waiting to be favored.

"I wonder why the Emperor summoned me here today?"

"The refugee issue has left the national treasury and granaries much emptier. I'm thinking about what to do with the affairs of the harem." She had some ideas in her mind, but she decided not to say them out loud for the time being. She wanted to see what kind of answer Concubine Wen, who was in charge of the harem, would give her.

Upon hearing this, Concubine Wen pursed her lips in thought.

"I have always thought about this matter. I have already informed all the palaces in the palace to plant vegetables. I have sent people to distribute the seeds and vegetable seedlings, but I don't know how much each palace has earned." He didn't have time to check.

Shangguan Wanjun looked at the four imperial husbands, Hui Fei - Feng Jinghan, Ran Fei - Wang Ran, Wu Fei - Zhu Wu, and Landa Jun - Lannaxin, who were carefully reviewing and classifying memorials.

"My four beloved concubines, how are you doing with the tasks assigned by Concubine Wen?" The four of them looked at each other, and Concubine Hui - Feng Jinghan bowed and replied.

"Your Majesty, we have already arranged everything that Noble Concubine Wen and Concubine Xianjun arranged for us. The vegetable seedlings in Fenghe Palace are growing very well."

Wang Ran, the concubine of Ran, said, "Your Majesty, the Buddha's hand melons in Maple Leaf Garden are growing very well and have already produced a lot of them. However, no one knows how to eat them besides stir-frying them."

He felt that the bitter melons in his palace were growing very fast.

"Buddha's hand melon grows well and produces good fruits. Besides stir-frying, it can also be stewed into soup and made into buddha's hand melon clear soup. It can also be directly put into hot pot, skewers, Bobo chicken, and maocai and cooked and eaten." This thing is very good and especially suitable for this era, mainly because of its high yield.

Shangguan Wanjun looked at Concubine Wu Zhu Wu expectantly: "Concubine Wu, how are you?"

"Your Majesty, the white radishes here are growing well."

"Long or round?"

"Both." He looked carefully and found both.

Lan Dajun - Lan Naxin took the initiative to say: "Your Majesty, the long beans in my husband's palace are growing well."

Shangguan Wanjun pursed her lips in thought, then slowly said, "This is great. It can be stir-fried, mixed with cold dishes, pickled, dried, or used as seeds. It has many uses."

After hearing this, Concubine Wu Zhu Wu curled the corners of her lips slightly. She believed everything the emperor said.

Concubine Wen - Bai Xuanyi looked at Shangguan Wanjun: "Your Majesty, don't worry. I will manage the harem well."

Upon hearing this, the other four concubines also expressed their willingness to actively cooperate with Concubine Wen. Shangguan Wanjun was not overly worried about the affairs of the harem. After more than a year of living together, they were still on the same side on major issues and would not embarrass her.

When the four concubines returned to the palace, they began to pick vegetables, sorted them and sent them to the imperial kitchen. The imperial kitchen became even busier. Some were responsible for pickling cabbage seedlings, some were responsible for pickling white radishes, and some were responsible for pickling long beans. They were busy all the time.

"Hurry up, soak them carefully one by one, there are still things to do later."

After the affairs of the harem were resolved, Shangguan Wanjun had to worry about whether the ministers and the people would go hungry. Being an emperor is like being both a father and a mother, and the responsibility is huge anyway.

Thinking about the refugee incident, more than a month has passed. Except for some refugees, most of them have left Beijing. The matter has come to an end, and it is time to reward and punish those who have made contributions and those who have committed crimes.

After consultation with the ministers, most of the rewards and punishments were finally finalized.

In the Golden Palace, Shangguan Wanjun was dressed in a bright red dragon robe and a dragon hairpin on her head. She walked lightly towards the dragon throne with lotus steps, stroked her dress gently, and sat down, her beautiful eyes gazing at the entire audience.

"Your Majesty, long live your Majesty."

Shangguan Wanjun gently raised her jade hand, which was adorned with a golden dragon, and said, "My dear ministers, please stand up."

"We thank the Lord for His grace." All the ministers stood up respectfully. Everyone knew that rewards and punishments would be given in the next few days, but they didn't know how the emperor would reward them, and they were all looking forward to it in their hearts.

"Xiao Liuzi."

"The slave is here."

"Read the imperial edict." Shangguan Wanjun said this calmly, and the ministers could not see any emotion on her face.

Liu Cheng said respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty."

He took one of the imperial edicts from the eunuch's tray beside him and said, "By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor declares that the Lord of Jiahe has actively participated in the disaster relief efforts, contributing money, manpower, and materials, and even sheltering the victims and providing them with work, thus alleviating the burden on the court. I am very pleased and comforted by this."

"From this day forward, I shall be promoted twice, and shall be granted the title of Fifth Rank County Lady, a reward of 500 taels of silver, and a special imperial badge for entering the palace. Her mother, having given birth to her daughter and having raised her well, shall be granted the title of Fifth Rank Imperial Consort, and a reward of 500 taels of silver. Since she has passed away, the title shall be inherited by her daughter. This is my decree!"